Gadgets and just Gadgets

Diamond Notebook from China

For those of you too cheap to pony up for that $700,000 diamond-encrusted Jupiter desktop we saw yesterday, China’s Eazo is willing to throw down the luxe for less than a tenth of the price — which still means the X70, pictured here, stil costs $45,500, but hey.

The distinctive machine features a 3GHz Q9550 Core 2 Quad, two NVIDIA 8800GTX graphics cards, 4GB of RAM, light-up liquid cooling, a 10,000rpm 150GB drive backed up by a 7,200rpm 500GB drive, 7.1-channel sound, and Vista Ultimate, all wrapped up in an easy-access case with pneumatic door hinges. Of course, you can custom-configure systems well past the $70K mark (and down to just $9K), but if you’re not happy with this stock config, you might want to try yoga or something, Mr. Power Hungry.

So if you want to do it, at leas do it in a big style!

E-Paper Slap Bracelets

Once you access www.yankodesign.com it becomes like an addiction, It’s impossible not to go back. It really sucks that all of these concepts are just…concepts.

Here’s what is new. Everybody had them or at least seen ‘em. Slap bracelets were usually made of thin piece of aluminum wrapped in fabric. Using the same form, Chocolate Agency came up with a mini multimedia device that snaps on with a slap. The entire surface is E-Paper and possesses all its thin, high contrast, power efficient qualities. The length can be adjusted by adding magnetic snaps to the ends. Best part is there’s no recharging needed. It gets all the power it needs via kinetic energy so go ahead, go slap happy.

I will say that this bracelet is what the term was created for, as a fab piece of plastic that snaps onto the wrist.So this device created from E-paper, and imprinted with whatever pics you choose, becoming a multi media accessory! It powers up via kinetic energy, so the moire you slap the longer it lasts! I’m not quite sure what it’s for as it’s still a design concept, but it sure looks pretty.

Tags: yanko design, bracelet, slap bracelet, e paper

Garmin has the nuvifone officialSource

Garmin’s GPS-packing mobile, the nüvifone, has been announced. According to Cliff Pemble, the firm’s president and COO, it’s the “breakthrough product that cellphone and GPS users around the world have been longing for.”The actual device won’t be available until the autumn at an undisclosed price with undisclosed partners. Nevertheless, the spec sounds promising and as GPS is increasingly integrated into phones we can only assume that plenty more sat nav manufacturers will be on the case with similar gadgets soon.

The unit features a 3.5″ touchscreen, browser, HSDPA, pre-loaded maps of either North America, or Eastern and Western Europe. In addition Garmin’s claiming “millions” of POIs, a Google-powered local search feature, instant reporting of co-ordinates, built in geotagging camera a la Navpix and an integrated media player. There’s also a handy feature that marks the point at which the device was removed from the dash mount; in other words, it’ll tell you where you parked.

Tags: nuvifone, garmin, GPS, cellphone

Sony Vaio vs. Macbook Air

So while getting set to unveil the new MacBook Air, Steve-o made a rough comparison to the Sony VAIO TZ series of notebook computers. Let’s take a look at the cheapest model, the VGN-TZ150N/B and see how it and the new MacBook Air really stack up.

Thinness: MacBook Air

It’s true, the MacBook Air has the Sony VAIO beat handily. At it’s thickest, the Air is 0.76-inches. The Sony is 1.17-inches thick.

Weight: Sony VAIO

The VAIO weighs in at 2.7-pounds versus the MacBook Air’s 3-pound weight. In the portability game, every ounce counts. It’ll be interesting to see if the MacBook Air “feels” lighter since it’s so thin.

Processor: MacBook Air

Both have Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The MacBook Air’s runs at 1.6GHz with 4MB of L2 cache and an 800MHz frontside bus, standard, while the Sony’s runs at 1.06GHz with 2MB of L2 cache and a 533MHz frontside bus.

Price: MacBook Air

Sony’s site has the VAIO listed at $2099 but you can currently get it at Best Buy for $1849. The MacBook Air is $1799.

RAM: MacBook Air

Apple’s comes with 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Sony’s comes with 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

Hard Drive: Sony VAIO

Sony’s got 100GB standard as opposed to the MacBook Air’s 80GB drive. Both are 4200-rpm PATA drives.

Screen: MacBook Air, unless you’re really into total pixel count

As far as inches are concerned, the MacBook wins here. It’s got a 13.3-inch screen versus the VAIO’s 11.1-inch screen. The VAIO has a slightly higher total resolution, though, if that’s what you’re into. It’s 1366×768 versus Apple’s 1280×800. Both screens are LED-backlit.

Graphics: Toss up, too early to tell

Sony’s got the older Intel GMA 950 but it’s running 224MB of total shareable memory. Apple’s got the newer Intel GMA X3100 but it’s running only 144MB of total shareable memory. This would really come down to the specific programs you’re running. The Mac’s got more total system RAM and a faster overall processor but the Sony’s got more video RAM allocated to less system RAM. My inclination is to say that the MacBook would perform better but it’s hard to tell yet.

Connectivity: Sony VAIO

The MacBook Air has wireless and Bluetooth. The VAIO has wireless, Bluetooth, Sprint EVDO, Gigabit Ethernet, and even a modem if you still remember how those work.

Battery, Battery Life: Sony VAIO

Sony goes from 4.5 to 7 hours and there’s an extended-life battery that you can buy. Both are user-replaceable. The MacBook tops out at 5 hours and isn’t user-replaceable. Ouch.

Keyboard and Mouse: Probably MacBook Air

Without trying the MacBook Air’s keyboard, I can tell you that if it’s anything close to full size, as Jobsy says it is, it’s got the Sony beat. The keyboard on the VAIO is tiny. The raised keys help a little but, hey, Apple’s got that too and its keys are bigger. Plus, add in the multi-touch gesture thing from the MacBook’s trackpad, and we have a winner. I used to have an older MacBook and the thing I miss most is the multi-touch.

Extras and Intangibles: You decide

Sony’s notebook comes with a built-in DVD writer. The MacBook has no internal optical drive but it does have that cool iffy, new Remote Drive feature. The Sony comes with Windows Vista Business (I’m running it on a Sony VAIO SZ series notebook and it’s been finicky at best) and the MacBook Air comes with OS X. The Sony comes with an integrated fingerprint reader (which I’ve found way more useful than I thought I would), while the MacBook comes with both DVI and VGA connection options (the Sony only does VGA).

Conclusion

The VAIO, as an ultraportable machine with long battery life, is impressive. Plus the connection options, especially the built-in Sprint connection, are great. The integrated DVD drive is a plus, too. Also, if you’ve ever seen the Sony in person (or if you own one), you know how tiny it is. That can be a good or bad thing depending on what you’re looking for. If you’ve got huge fingers, it’s not so good.

The MacBook Air, on the other hand, will be an impressively portable, basically-full-size computer. It won’t feel small and tiny like the VAIO but it likely won’t weigh you down much either. Plus, most of the stuff I’ve read from the VAIO’s users has been that the VAIO TZ series is slow and underpowered. The MacBook has it pretty well beaten in the speed department.

Of course, the ultimate decision is up to you and none of us have actually used the MacBook yet so we can reserve final judgment for a later day. But if you took notice during the recent keynote when Jobs compared the two and wondered what a more thorough comparison might look like, hopefully this has helped a bit.

Tags: Macbook, VAIO, Sony, Apple, Sony Vaio, Macbook Air, comparison

Fujitsu releases Mac pimped ScanSnap

It’s pretty much the same as the old ScanSnap, but now it’s catered to the Mac platform and it’s white. It will be available mid-March for $295. Here’s the quick and dirty on what’s new.

1) From the quick menu, there’s a direct scan to .Mac option. So, folks with a .Mac account can save their scanned documents to a remote server for access from wherever there is an internet connection.

2) Scan to email works with Apple Mail and Entourage

3) Can Scan to iPhoto or Mac Preview

4) Comes bundled with CardIris for business card scanning on the S300M

Tags: scansnap, scanner, mac, iPhoto

Hardcore Protection for your Macbook

If you’re looking for hardcore protection for your MB or MBP then take a gander at RhinoSkin’s latest offering. The aluminum case should catch the eye of road warriors or frequent flyers. Chances are your precious won’t get a ding or scratch when it’s encased in this beast that’s lined with neoprene. You always have access to your ports and when it’s all closed up you can still keep charging. It’s also ventilated on the bottom so as not to fry your MB/P. Pricing starts at $129 and goes up to $149.

Tags: Mackbook, case, protection, hardcase

Rick Sammon Outdoors Lighting Kit Source

Professional Photographer Rick Sammon has teamed up with Westcott to create a new kit for outdoor photographers – the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote.Ideal for creative outdoor photographers, this kit makes it easy for anyone to turn snapshots into great shots. 

Included in the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote is one 30” diffuser, one 30” Sunlight/Silver Illuminator reflector, one Micro ApolloTM and a carry tote.  The diffusion panel is a 1-stop diffuser, used to soften harsh sunlight.  To bounce sunlight onto a subject’s face for dramatic lighting, fill in shadows or add catch light to the eyes, the Sunlight/Silver reflector can be used.  Westcott’s Micro ApolloTM attaches to any accessory flash with Velcro® for diffusing the light, resulting in softer portraits.  The lightweight carry tote is 12” in diameter and includes three interior pockets to separate lighting accessories.

“With my camera and zoom lens on one shoulder, and my tote, packed with the reflectors/diffusers, Micro Apollo Light Modifier, my flash and extra batteries, on the other, I am good to go – and I go a lot of places in search of interesting subjects,” says Rick Sammon.  the price is $119.90.

Tags: photograph kit, Rick Sammon, Lighting Kit, photo, camera

Pentax to announce a PMA?Source

We don’t know yet what to think about the rumours about Pentax announcing a PMA, but one thing is for sure, Pentax is focusing on DSLRs this year and that’s coming straight from the horse’s mouth. Head of Japanese sales for Pentax, Hitoshi Sasaki, was recently quoted:

We will keep focusing on DSLR as we did last year,” Sasaki said. “The segment will demand not only the cameras but also interchangeable lenses and accessories, contributing much to the expansion of sales and profits. The lens line will further be enriched this year. In the “Optio” series compact cameras, we will review the lineup where models under ¥30,000 (US$270) are the mainstream to upgrade overall lineup. The approach may be made in terms of product development and sales strategy.

So will the K200D jump up to 10-megapixels or how about live preview on the K20D? Looks like the Optio’s will be getting a refresh as well.

Tags: Pentax, PMA, K0D, K200D, DLR, Hitoshi Sasaki, lense, cameraPentax to announce a PMA?

The Nooka Zirc Watch

Valentine’s Day is coming soon so you have to be ready to make gifts and receive gifts all the time. Continuing with my “watch obsession” here is a new gadget that I have found on the Internet: NOOKA ZIRC.

The Nooka Zirc features a new display design, also at 35×45x10mm, it is the largest display to date. The 12 dots represent hours and the horizontal row counts minutes. EL back light and alarm included. Band is 22m wide and note that Nooka replacement bands will not fit on Zirc. The dots show the hour and the long bar shows the minutes. It’s $350 . Enjoy it!

Tags: Nooka Zirc, nooka, zirc, watch

Let’s Tango… x2

Yes, it’s another iPod dock. Is it necessary in an already over saturated marketplace? Probably not, but if you were a fan of the original Tango then the X2 just might be the perfect upgrade.

Overview

Tango Studio is a compact audio system perfect for a bookshelf or desktop. The system is powered by two full range loudspeakers and a full stereo high-dynamic amplifier to deliver excellent audio performance.

Its sleek design features a retractable iPod dock that is compatible with all dock connector iPod models, plus an FM radio. Tango Studio also has a blue LED display that relays the volume level, operating mode and radio frequency information. The display is elegantly concealed behind a cloth grill when not in use, yet easily visible when the display comes on.

Tango Studio includes a wireless remote that allows you to control the system from across the room—up to fifty feet away. The auxiliary line-in jack on the back of the unit allows you to connect other devices such as an iPod shuffle or gaming system.

It has a built-in FM radio, auxiliary line-in jack and included wireless remote.

Specifications

Dimensions

11.5″ wide, 6.5″ tall, 3.875″ deep

Features

• High-dynamic full range speakers for superior sound
• Built-in FM radio and auxiliary line-in jack
• Advanced remote for iPod and radio
• Retractable universal dock well fits any iPod
• Easy to read display behind sleek cloth grill
• Compact design perfect for home, office or dorm

Tags: iPod, Tango, audio, speker, d[tags]ock, iPOd dock, audio system